Carbid-geneeatob



s. BERToLlNI. CABBID GENERATOR.

l APPLICATION FLED MAY 22||9|B Y 1,318,046. Patented Oct. 7,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. BEHTOLINI. cARm GENERATDR.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 -a Lb. G O 1m M .w na .D1 m M n 2 Vl A M D E L cl. N 0 H A w H P A o 6. 4. O, 8 1 o0 9. 1

v. mn.

www

mr u mum vMNnnRAPu cn. WASHINGTON. nl c.

GIUSEPPE BERT'OLINI, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GARBID-GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 7, 1919.

Applicationled May 22, 1918. Serial No. 235,916.

To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, GIUSEPPE BER'roLINI, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Carbid-Generators, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to a device for generating carbid gas for use in internal combustion engines, such as now commonly employed on automobiles, motor boats, motor trucks, and the like. 4

Amongthe objects of my invention is to improve the construction of devices of the kind referred to, in the several particulars as will hereinafter more fully appear, and to provide in particular a generating device which will be automatic in its operation and act to feed solid'carbid into the generators proportionately to the rateA of consumption of the gas by the engine. ,A further object of my invention is to so construct and arrange the parts of the device that the same will be compact and thus permit its installation in a motorcar as a complete unit and dispense with the liquid fuel handling system heretofore employed on such vehicles. y

Y The invention consists further in the matters hereinafter described and more particularl'y pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a generating deviceembodying the features of my invention and shown connected `with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the differential pressure cylinder of my invention, the same being shown removed from the other parts of my device for the sake of clearness of illustration;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4 4 ofv Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken through the cut-off `valve casing, to be hereinafter referred to; and' Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 6`f-6 of Fig. 4L

In the drawings, I have shown in detail a device embodying the features of my invention, and, as illustrated, the same comprises a tank 10 of any suitable form and construction and adapted to contain carbid in its solid form, either granular or pulverulent, as may be found most desirable. Said tank 10 is provided with a movable cover (not shown) to facilitate filling the same. Depending from an opening into the tank 10 through its bottom wall is a pipe 11, the latter being' connected with and opening into two branch pipes 12, 12, one opening into each of the generator cylin'- ders 13, 13, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Each pipe 12 opens into the connected generator l3'through the top wall thereof, and serves to discharge solid carbid from the tank 10 into and upon the bottom wall of said generator. Said generators 13, 13, may be mounted on a base or stand or on the frame'- work of an automobile or the like, when my device is applied thereto. For the purpose of converting such solid carbid into gaseous form, I provide a water tank 14, which `in the instance shown is located above the geni erators 13, 13 and suspended from the tank 10 by depending brackets 15, 15. Any other typeof supporting means may be provided' for this purpose or, if found desirable, said water tank may be mounted at the required level directly upon the frame-work of the vehicle in which my complete device is installed. Said tank 14 is provided with an inlet 16 to permit filling thereof. Opening into the tank 1l through the bottom wall thereof is an outlet pipe 17 controlled by manually operable valve preferably in the .form of 'a turning plug 18. Said pipe 17 is provided with'two branch pipes, 19, 19, one for each generator 13 and discharging into the same through thetop wall thereof. -By operating -the turning plug` 1S, water may be discharged into the generators 13, 13 at the speed desired. Said generators 13, 13 are preferably vertically arranged, so

that they have a top wall and a bottom wall,

and interposed between them is a cylinder ,20, `preferably horizontally arranged and havingwithin it a slidable piston n21,' as shown dotted lines in. Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 3. Said piston 21 is designed to slide back and forth in or endwise of the cylinder22, zand is provided with a lpiston vvalve 28, .as shown :in Figs. 4 and G.

rod 23,'thelatter having an equal length extending from each side of said piston 21. Said rod 23 extends .through and beyond both of the end walls 24, 24lof said cylinder 20, there being suitable packing glands 25, 25 provided in said end walls to make a leakproof joint between such parts, but permitting said rod to slide endwise through said end walls in the movementof the piston endwise of said cylinder. Said cylinder 2O .issupported between the generators 13, 13

by being connected therewith, although any other type of supporting means maybe used Yto meetthe ,particular requirements of each installation.' 'Said cylinder 20is connected at each end thereof with the generator `13 adjacent tosuc'hend, by a .plurality o-f pipes 26, 26?, one .opening into `the connected generator -13 adjacent to the upper end thereof and above Vthe cylinder 20 and the other opening .into the same generator 13 through the sidewall thereof and approximately at ,a point midway between "the upper and lower ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. As

.the carbid .gas is generated Ain the generators 13, 13, such gas rises toward the `upper end thereof, and, .by having the pipes 26, 26a arranged as shown, it follows that the gas first enters the cylinder 20 through the lowerniost pipe 26, and again into the cylinder 20 when the gas reaches rthe uppermost pipe 26. The piston 21 is provided with reduced 'portions or bosses 27, 27 at each side thereof further to guard' against :leakage between the piston and the walls of said cylinder.

To control the discharge ofsolidcarbid into each generator 13,*1`provide therein a u The generators 13 are made alike, so a description of one will suflice for both. Said valve 28 has movement in the are of a circle from open to closedposition, it being Vshown in open position in .full lines in Fig. 4 and in closed position in dotted lines yin the saine figure. ASaid valve is preferably made in the shape of a square block, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and :has lits upper surface curved in the arc of the circle defining its movement, so that it may be swung into and out of position close to and closing the adjacent open end ofthe dischargerpipe 12. Saidvvalve is mounted. in a rock shaft 29 -located 'below the same and extending trainsglands v3,0 at such parts.

versely across the generator 13. Said shaft 29 -has its ends journaled in and extending throughand beyond the yside .walls of the generator 13. Toprevent the gas generated in the generator 13 from escaping therefroin through itheopenings through which the rock shaftextends I provide packing Depending from the valve 28 is a stem 31 having a hub 32 encircling the shaft 29 and secured thereto by a set screw 33. To one end of said shaft .29 issecured an `arm 34 located outside of 29, and, as illustrated in Fig. -1,.the 4arms 34,

34 are on the saine side ofthe Vgenerators .13', 13 as the interposed cylinder 20, while the weighted arms35, 35 Vare lboth on )the opposite side thereof. The piston rod `23 has such a length that it extends between the free or lower ends ofthe arms 34, 34, and the weights 36 hold such arms Vagainst the ends of said rod. llfanifestly, when said rod 23 is moved endwise with the piston 21, first in Vone direction and then in `the other, the arms 34, 34 are swung to open and close the valves 28,?28 alternately and thereby permit an intermittent discharge of solid carbid from 4the tank .1() into the generators 13, 13. The parts are so proportioned with respect to eachother that the rod 23 does not move far enough in either direction to permit the weights to swing the valves 28, 28 past closed positions.

Connected with the cylinder 20 are two pipes 38, 38, one opening into the cylinder 20 at each end thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Said pipes 38, 38 are connected together at their opposed ends by a fitting 39, which in turn is connected with a l'hollow casing 40 `by a pipe 41 having therein a checkvvalve 42, the latter allowing gas to flow from the cylinder 20 into lthe casing 40, but preventing a back flow and thus ajvoid- 4ing-'back fire. In the .casing 40 are arranged a plurality of transverse wire mesh screens 43, 43,through which the carbld passes for cleaning the saine of excess moisture and any matter-likely to be carried thereby in nend of the generatorand at the other end into a coupling 48, from which extends a pipe49 provided with a check valve 50 -be- Y* Y tween its ends.

Said pipe49 is connected with said pipe 44. For conveying gas from the storage tank 45, there is `a pipe 51 provided with a check .valve 52, said pipe 51 opening into a carbureter 53. Said carbureter is in the form of a tube having its end 54 closed and its opposite end open ,to allow air to be drawn thereinto fromthe atmosphere by the suction created in thecylinders of theV engine 55 during the movement of the pistons therein. At the open end of said carbureter is a gate valve 56 connected with an operating rod or pull cablefr57. A Said cable is connected with an operating lever (notshown) provided either on the steering post of the automobile or the like, or at any place adjacent the seat of the driver. As shown in Fig. 1, the pipe'l opens into the carbureter 53" at a point beyond Athe valve 56. Said carbureter is also provided beyond that point with a second gate valve 58 connected with an operating rod or pull cable 59, the latter extending to an operating lever (not shown) within, reachof the driver from his seat. `A pipe 60opens at one end into the carbureterf 53 adjacent its closed en d, and -at the other endV into the inlet manifold 61 of the engine 55. Y

For the purpose of opening and closing the discharge pipe 11, Ip'rovide a valve which may be operated by the driver from his seat. As shown-in Fig. 5, said valve is a swinging plate 62, arrangedtransversely of said pipe and having at one side thereof an arm 63 pivoted by a pin 64 on a lug 65 formed on or connected with `the housing or casing in which the valve is located. Said valve 62 is provided at the opposite side with an arm 66, to which is connected a spring 67, the latter having connectionrwith a ixedlug 68, also secured or formed on the valve casing. An operating rodor pull cable 69 is connected with said armA 66 opposite the spring 67. Said cable extends to an operating lever (not shown)'positioned within reach ofA the driver from his seat. To guide the valve 62 in its swinging movement, I provide a slotted guide bracket 70.

The bottom of each generator 'casing 13 is formed by a plate 71 pivoted at 72 to a lug 73 on said generator casing, so that the bottom 71 may be swung open for the purpose of flushing and cleaning out the generator. For holding said hinged Abottom 71 closed, I provide a spring 74 connectedat one end with the bottom and at theother end with a lug 75 fixed to the side wall of the cylinder 13, as shown in Fig. 4. VIn the production'of carbid gas in the generators 13, an appreciable amount of `heatis produced, and to maintain each generator casing relatively cool during the, operationof the device, I make the top and side walls 'thereof double to form a space 76, through whichcirculates coolin water, such space being connected by pipes 7 with the cooling water circulating system of the particular car in which my device is installed.

The device herein described and shown operates as follows: The cut-oli valve y62 is opened, and solid carbid ied from the tank 10 into the pipes 12, 12. One'of the valves 28 is in open position and the carbid is discharged into that generator 13 having its valve 28 open. Water is discharged'into the generator 13 by opening the valvel 18, whereupon the solid carbid discharged into such generator 13 is converted into carbid gas. At such time the piston 21 is at the v end of the cylinder 20 nearest the generator 13 having its valve 28 open. At such time the parts occupy the positions shown in Fig. 1, that is, the piston rod 23 holds the valve 28 in the right-hand generator open so that solid carbid may be discharged thereinto. As the gas forms it rises toward the top of thegenerator andlows into the cylinder 20 through the Ipipes 26, 26a and out of Vthe cylinder 2()` through one of the pipes 38.

When a sucient amount of gas has been generated to create a pressure strong enough to move the piston 21the latter is moved toward the opposite end of the cylinder 20, that is, toward the left (when the parts are viewed asl shownin Fig. 1) carrying therewith the rod 23 and opening the valve 28 in the opposite or left-hand generator 13, whereupon solid carbid is. permitted to drop into that generator and be converted into gas by water being discharged thereon. The valve 28 in the right-hand generator 13 is then permitted to move into closed position cutting off the feed of carbid thereto. The gas generated in the left-hand generator 13 flows into the left-hand end oi' the cylinder 20 and out of the same through the pipe 38. Then the pressure in the left-hand end of the cylinder 2() is sufficient to overcome the now reduced pressure in the righthand end of the cylinder 20, the piston 21 is moved toward the right generator 13 to .open its valve 28 and permit anotherV charge of solid carbid to be discharged thereinto. This intermittent discharge of solid carbid, first into one generator 13 andthen into the other, is kept up as long as the ,generated gas is used to operate the pistons in the engine 55. The rapidity of action of the piston 21 will of course depend upon the amount of carbid gas being consumed by the engine 55 during the operation thereof, that is. the rate of disch arge of solid carbid into vthe generators 13, .13 will of course be proportionate to and controlledby the rapidity with which the generated carbid gas is being consumed 4by the engine 55. The' suction ofvtheengine 55 thestorage tank 45, such gas ci ecu-rse pass ing through the carbureter 53, where it is mixed with air for thepurposefof producing a proper explosive mixture.

Any excess gas produced inthe'enerators 13, 13 .may flow into the storage tank 45 throughthe pipes 47 and 49 without ybeing first required to How through the cleaner 40. If found desirable, the pipe 44 maybe provided with a one-way opening check valve 78. To provide a proper joint between the hingedbottom wall .7l and the side walls of each generator 13, I may provide a gasket 79, as shown in Figs. 4.and 6.

Solid carbid at 4.the present time is less "expensivethan liquid fuel, such-as ygasolene and the like, and it `follows that with myI mechanism a motor vehicle of the internal combustion engine type may be operated at a cost farbelow the cost heretofore required to run a car with gasolenc or similar liquid fuel. Moreover, carbid may be carried on thecar in solid form and the'same converted 'into an explosive gas when required, .thus

permitting the carriage and storage of a greater amount of fuel than made possible with a .liquid fuel, such as gasolene. Then again, a given quantity of solid carbid may be converted into a greater amount of avail- Y shown may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scopeof my invention, and that I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated, except as pointed out in the annexed claims.

As an additional means for conveying car- -bid gas produced in the generators 13, 13 from the `latter -to the storage tank through thev cleaner 40, I provide a pipe '80, having rtwo branch pipes 81, 81, which openinto the associated generator 13 through the top wall thereof. `The other end of the `pipe 80 is connected `with the fitting 39, as shown'in Fig. 1.

I claim "as my invention:

1. A device of the character described, comprising af tank'adapted to contain solid carbid, two generators connected with said tank, means for supplying water to said generators, each4 generator being provided with a valve for controlling 'l the disch-arge cf solid' carbid thereinto from said tank', a

cylinder interposedbetween said generators, pipes `connecting said generators with said cylinder for supplying carbid gas thereto, a pistoninsaid cylinder and adapted to be moved endwise thereof, `first in one direction and then inthe opposite direction by the pressure of the carbid gas produced in said generators, a rod connectedwith said piston and `having its ends projecting beyond said-cylinder for actuating said valves alternately, and outlet pipes connected with said cylinder. v L Y 2. A vdevicev of vthe character described, comprising a tank ad-apted to contain solid carbid, two generators connected with said tank, means for supplying water-to said gencrators, eachV generator beingprovided with a valve for controlling the discharge of solid carbid thereinto from said tank, each valve having an arm, a cylinder interposed between said` generators, pipes connecting said genei`- -ators with said cylinder for supplying carbid gas thereto, a piston in'said cylinder and adapted to be moved endwise of said cylinder, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, .by the 4pressure of the carbid gas produced in said generators, a rod connected with said piston and having its ends engagingsaidarms for actuating said valves alternately, `outlet pipes connected with said cylinder, and means for holding said arms in engagement with said rod.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a tank adapted to contain solid carbid, two generators connected with said tank, means for supplying water to said generators, each generator being provided with a valve for controlling the discharge of'solid carbid thereinto om lsaid tank, each valve having two arms, a cylinder interposed `between said generators, pipes connecting said generators with said cylinder for supplying carbid gas thereto, -a piston in said cylinder and adapted to fbe moved endwise of said cylinder, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, by'the pressure of the carbid gas vproduced in said generators, a rod connected with `said piston and having its ends engaging one of the arms of each of said valves, a weight on each of the other of said armsof said valves, and outlet pipes connected with said cylinder.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a tank adapted to contain solid carbid, two generators connected 4with said tank, means for supplying water to'said generators, each :generator being provided with a valve for contro-lling the discharge of solid carbid'k thereinto from said tank, a cylinder interposed between lsaid generators, pipes connecting said `generators with said cylinder forA supplying carbid gas thereto, a piston in Vsaid cylinder -and adapted to be moved 'endwise thereof,-first 'in -onedire'ction and then in the o posite direction by the In testimony that I claim the foregoing pressure of the car id gas produ-Ced in said as my invention, I aix my signature in the 10 generators, a rod connected with said piston presence of two Witnesses, this 20th day of and adapted to aotuate said Valves alter- May, A. D. 1918.

nately, a storage tank for the gas produced GIUSEPPE BERTOLINI. by said generators, and pipes connecting Witnesses:

said generators and said cylinder With said JOHN SONSONETTI,

storage tank. HECTOR E. TONIATTI.

Copies ot this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

